Latin America & Antarctica

Latin America is a destination on the up thanks to an enticing
blend of attractions and a new found place in the public
consciousness. Whatever you are hoping for we will have a spot-on
suggestion. Want breathtaking landscapes? We can advise on some
that may render your jaw duly dropped, such as the pampas of
Argentina or glaciers in Chile.

Why we think you’ll love it

Our guide to holidays in Latin America & Antarctica

LATIN AMERICA HOLIDAYS

Wildlife nuts can travel to a secret spot that we know deep in
the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil where jaguar sightings are all but
guaranteed. We can arrange tailor-made adventures into the remote
Amazon rainforest, or mountaineering with expert guides in the
Andes and diving to the Galapagos Islands. Party animals have to
visit Rio and history buffs the various - invariably spectacular -
ruined cities of the great indigenous peoples, the Aztecs, Mayans
and Incas.

ANTARCTICA HOLIDAYS

As for Antarctica, just contemplating this enormous land mass
tends to bring out our inner statistician. Example - while
Antarctica comprises nearly 10% of earth's landmass it is
(semi-permanent) home to a mere 0.00002% of its population. But
before you consider that a tempting change from a crowded island
like the UK, mull over the reason why - it's essentially a frozen
desert, and recently recorded the coldest ever temperature, an
eye-freezing -89°C. Away from the harsh conditions of the interior,
and at the right time of year (between November and March) Original
Travel arranges cruises on the best new ships or, for the really
adventurous, exclusive itineraries including visits to vast ice
caves on the polar plateau, skiing across enormous snow fields, ice
climbing and kite-skiing.

Hotel Fasano Las Piedras

Uruguay

The 480 hectares Fasano Las Piedras estate is a special setting, combining spectacular views of almost Tuscan countryside with British country house elegance, all conveniently located within minutes of the most beautiful beaches of Uruguay.

Los Almendros de San Lorenzo

El Salvador

Just under an hour’s drive from San Salvador, Los Almendros de San Lorenzo is a boutique hotel housed in an old colonial hacienda in the heart of Suchitoto. The building has been lovingly restored by a Salvadorean architect, and the mix of local modern and antique colonial art lend an air of true authenticity to this property.

La Cocotera

El Salvador

Bordered by the warm Pacific Ocean on one side and a peaceful estuary on the other, La Cocotera is one of the best properties in El Salvador and a great place to head to if you’re looking to escape the crowds so often found lining many Central American beaches.

Playa Vik

Fly to the South Pole

Antarctica

Everyone knows the boy’s own adventure tales of heroism involving those great polar explorers of the early 20th Century, Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen, who strove to reach the South Pole, some never to return.

Chichén Itzá

El Salvador

Latin America & Antarctica

Sitting between Guatemala and Honduras on Central America’s western coast, El Salvador is the regions smallest and least visited country. Ravaged by civil war throughout the 1980’s, El Salvador fared little better during the 90’s, when a spate of gang violence gripped the country. However despite its unfortunate recent history, El Salvador is slowly gaining tourists’ trust, and rightly so.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Mayan Ruins

Yucatán Peninsula

The Yucatan area has numerous sites with Mayan ruins. While some sites cover vast areas and have been well preserved or restored others are much smaller and have suffered over the years. Many of the sites still have vast areas that are yet to be excavated and explored.

Colombia

Bolivia

Latin America & Antarctica

Landlocked Andean Bolivia is rich in ancient culture, music and folklore and perhaps because of the country’s relative lack of sophistication and infrastructure, is far less visited than its neighbours.

Chile

Guardia del Monte

Uruguay

Located on the edge of Castillos Lagoon, Guardia del Monte is one of the few remaining working cattle ranches that still cater to guests, and with beautiful surrounding it’s a personal favourite of ours.